Lucas

Serena's POV

As the car pulled away, I took out my phone and began to type a message to Mom. My fingers hovered over the keyboard before I started;

“Mom, I apologize for leaving like this, but I have to find out who I am. I can't keep living with all these questions and this, this curse. I promise I'll be safe and keep in touch, if you don't come looking for me. I need to do this, or I'll never be normal or happy again. I love you.”

I sent the text, feeling a bit better, knowing that she wouldn't be completely worried about me now.

I suddenly realized that I hadn't really opened up my social media account for a full damn year, and I opened my messaging apps to find a barrage of texts and emails. My mom was right there, a hundred and twenty-seven unread messages. So many schools had accepted me, so many opportunities I'd ignored.

Then, with a hesitant finger, I tapped on Jess's profile. There she was, smiling and laughing. She posted numerous pictures and videos of parties and new college friends, even dates. They had moved on without me.

I suddenly felt a bit depressed as I thought if how she never thought to contact me since that night. Not just her, but they all cut me off without reason, but I shook it off.  I slowly blinked my tears away as I focused my attention to the wide, free road.

I slowly blinked my eyes open to gentle taps on my shoulder pulling me out of my sleep. I hadn't even realized that I had fallen asleep. My viewing cleared a bit and I saw the dense forest before me. The driver's concerned voice reached me through the fog of sleep.

“Miss, are you sure you want to be here alone? There are rumors about dangerous creatures in these woods. You could get hurt,” he said, his eyes wide with worry. I couldn't help but smile at the mention of dangerous creatures. Leaning in, I met his gaze and asked, “If I fearlessly come here, wouldn't that mean I could be one of them?”

The driver's face paled, and he broke out in a cold sweat. But without waiting for his response, I grabbed my backpack and stepped out of the car, waving him goodbye as he drove off quickly. Pulling out my phone, I opened the maps' app, recalling the information from my father's files. The pack I was searching for should be at the heart of the woods.

With a deep breath, I entered the forest, the trees closed in around me, and soon I could barely see the sky. Soon, my phone lost signal, and I cursed as I finally realized that I should have taken a screenshot of the map. But I had a good sense of direction and decided to continue walking in a straight line.

After a while, I stumbled on my shoelace and almost fell face flat to the ground. Luckily, I was quick to regain my standing. I sighed as I realized my shoelace had become undone, and I Bent down to tie my undone shoelace, a movement above caught my eye. I looked up to see a massive wolf hurtling toward me. Instinctively, I dodged to the side as the wolf crashed to the ground with a thud. The massive wolf must've been thrown by a more powerful one for it to go tumbling like that. Its eyes glowed red with a dangerous intensity as it fixed its gaze on me.

Before I could react, a figure appeared on the other side, standing with an air of cold, merciless authority. His eyes locked onto mine, and a chill ran down my spine. I had never seen that much power and authority emanate from a person's eyes before, even his stance showed authority and his aura too. I felt myself being stuck gaping at him that I hadn't realized that the wolf he had struck down just now had gotten back to its feet.

The last thing I remembered was hearing its loud growl, and then there was a sharp pain that ran down my back before I lost consciousness.

—

I blinked simultaneously, trying to adjust my gaze to the brightness of the room. I looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling, feeling groggy and uncomfortable, and I began to wonder why there was a burn on my back. Pushing those thoughts aside, I rolled over on my side and met with a pair of well polished shoes.

At first, I ignored it and closed my eyes lazily to have some more nap time, until the memories began flooding in. I remembered that I had left my mom, searching for my real parents. I went into the woods and then there was this man, and the wolf, and then I lost consciousness.

I flipped my eyes open almost immediately and sat up in bed as though waking up from a nightmare. I looked back at the legs I had seen earlier and surely, there he was. He was seated majestically on an armchair as he inspected me with his gaze. “W- what happened?”  I asked, looking away from him.

“I saved you. You got slashed in the back by the rogue.” He said simply. His voice sounded so smooth and captivating, like a melody floating in the air. The voice is deep and velvety, with a hint of huskiness that adds an extra layer of allure. The few words he spoke sent a tingle down my spine, and I couldn't help but be drawn in by the sheer maturity of his voice. It was like magic, casting a spell on me, making my heart skip a beat. “Are you okay?”

He asked me, and I finally had the courage to look him in the eyes; my eyes had already adjusted to the light, and what I saw took my breath away. The man with the cold, mature voice had a face that perfectly matched the charm and allure of his voice. He had strong, chiseled features and a jawline that could cut through steel. His eyes were deep and mysterious, sparkling with a hint of mischief. His lips were full and inviting, with a mischievous smile that could make anyone weak in the knees.

He got up from the chair and walked towards me, making little sounds with his feet, until he was finally before me. He bent his body down as he stared into my face, making me get a better view of him. His perfectly groomed facial hair added a touch of ruggedness to his overall appeal. I could not stop staring at him, and I was almost sure that I would catch a drool at the side of my mouth if I checked.

Finally, he opened his mouth and spoke again, “Who are you?”

After hearing him ask that, I was suddenly taken aback and didn't even know how to respond. Then I finally remembered my purpose of coming here in the first place and immediately looked around me, searching for my phone. I couldn't find it anywhere. “What are you looking for?”

He asked with a confused expression. “I'm trying to find my phone, I had it with me when I saw you. In my pocket!” I semi panicked, if I was unable to find my phone, then how was I supposed to find my parents. All the files were snapped by me, and the pictures are there as a back-up measure.

“I don't think you'll find your phone. After I saved you, I didn't see any phone on you and the maid's got you bathed and changed but didn't find any phone. You lost it.” He said nonchalantly. I didn't even know how to react to that, but then my mind went to something more important.

“My bag? Where's my bag” I asked, “Your bag's fine, now answer the question. Who are you and how did you get that amulet?” He questioned while pointing at the amulet around my neck. His voice stern and serious this time, as though tired of my stalling. I really didn't want to reveal myself to a total stranger, but then I thought about how he had saved my life just now. I guess I owe him that at least.

“Well, I'm Serena Nightingale. I come from a human town,” he looked at me as though he had already guessed that part's right. And then before I knew it, one conversation led to another, and I completely opened up to him, I told him everything except for the fact that I had murdered my father. The aura around him at first was cold and unwelcoming, but as we conversed I found myself willing to share it all with him. Somehow, his presence seemed quite homely now, but he barely spoke up to 10 words throughout the whole conversation.

“What is your father's name?” He asked seriously. “Stefan Nightingale.” I answered almost immediately. He began to stroke his chin confusedly as lines formed on his head.

“I haven't heard of that name before, and even your surname is unknown.” He replied, his eyes told me of his honesty and I immediately believed him. “Maybe the Alpha of Crescent Grove Pack would know him. Or at least help me find out who he was or how he was connected to my real parents. Sigh, If I could just get in contact with the Alpha.” I said sadly. I noticed that the side of his lip raised slightly at my words and became a smirk for a few seconds. But in those few seconds he managed to pull off a really captivating look.

“What is your name?” I asked, realizing that I had been the only one revealing myself. He didn't reply, instead his expression changed, and he stood up straight and turned on his heels, walking away. “Wait! Where are you going?”

I asked after him and he abruptly stopped. “Do you want to find out about your father or not?" He asked seriously, and I voluntarily sat back down and didn't go after him. “You still haven't told me your name, though.”

“Lucas.”

With that, he walked out the door, leaving me all alone in this room. I slowly got off the bed, standing up, my legs were wobbly as I struggled to stand straight. I looked around the room, finally taking in the beauty of its decor. The room was a blend of elegance and intimidation. The walls were adorned with dark, rich wallpaper; its color is that of regal burgundy. The bed itself was a grand centerpiece, draped in rich, silky sheets with a hint of gold embroidery.

Surrounding the bed were heavy, dark curtains that were drawn with no space for rays of sunshine to penetrate. The furniture was sleek and modern, with touches of leather and polished wood. And there was a shelf filled with books and a wardrobe compartment that looked like it led to a walk-in closet. The room exuded authority and commanded respect, but it looked more like a lonely place than an actual bedroom.

The bedroom made her think of someone who she had just found to be named Lucas, he also exudes authority and his presence commanded respect, but his eyes were lost and lonely, and I couldn't help the curiosity within me to understand what those orbs had seen to be so dead.

“Serena.” She heard Lucas's voice call, “Stefan Nightingale is human and has no connections to the werewolves.”

On hearing this, my heart broke into a million pieces. Who did I think I was? Sherlock Holmes? How could I have thought to investigate like this and easily find answers? With a broken heart, I looked up to Lucas once more. “Well, at least I tried, right. I guess I'll have to go back home to my mom now.”

I said with a depressed sigh. “Oh you are not going anywhere.” There was a sudden change in Lucas's tone as he said that, it had a massive deal of danger attached to it as his expression darkened. What the hell did I get myself into?